Today in Texas History: Milam shot in head

On this day in 1835, Benjamin Milam, a hero of the Texas Revolution, was killed by Mexican forces during the Siege of Bexar.

Milam was born in Kentucky in 1788. After spending several years in Mexico and supporting the country’s efforts for independence from Spain, Milam earned Mexican citizenship and was made a colonel in the Mexican army. But when Antonio López de Santa Anna took over the government and formed a dictatorship, Milam was imprisoned.

He was able to escape, and as he fled, he met up with a battalion fighting for independence for Texas from Mexico. He enlisted in their ranks and marched with them to join with the main army to overtake San Antonio from the Mexicans. However, most decided to delay the siege until after winter.

Milam believed this would hurt any attempt at independence and rallied 300 men to launch the Siege of Bexar on December 5, 1835. Milam was shot in the head by a Mexican on December 7, but the Mexican army surrendered on December 9.